Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

Tilting at windmills at 80

Hugh Grim, right, and Curt Henry, below left, check over the machinery of a 1933 windmill while mounting it on a new tower at Grim’s house on the western edge of Spokane on Saturday. Grim has refurbished three windmills, two of which are on his lawn.  (Photos by JESSE TINSLEY / The Spokesman-Review)
Hugh Grim, right, and Curt Henry, below left, check over the machinery of a 1933 windmill while mounting it on a new tower at Grim’s house on the western edge of Spokane on Saturday. Grim has refurbished three windmills, two of which are on his lawn. (Photos by JESSE TINSLEY / The Spokesman-Review)

Hugh Grim, right, and Curt Henry, below left, check over the machinery of a 1933 windmill while mounting it on a new tower at Grim’s house.

In 2008, when we last visited Hugh Grim, two towering vintage windmills stood sentry in his yard at the southwestern edge of Spokane. The retired construction foreman had discovered a fascinating, labor-intensive hobby – restoring these relics of rural engineering.

When asked if there was another windmill in his future, Grim said, “We’ll have to see what happens.”

What happened was a 1907 Red Cross windmill and a 1924 Flint & Walling, both of which now grace his lawn on their respective towers. In addition, a 1910 Dempster on a small stud tower sits near Grim’s shop, ready for its Spokane County Interstate Fair debut. Cindy Hval, SR  Full story.

Do you collect antiques or vintage items?



Huckleberries Online

D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.